What's in the bag?
I enjoy giving gifts, or presents as we always called them in England back in the day.
Of course I also like receiving them, but in all honestly giving them is more
special for me. . . . . . . and wrapping them has been a lifelong pleasure.
I've always loved wrapping gifts with beautiful papers, ribbons and tags since
I was a child when Hallmark suddenly added those items to their card offerings.
They appeared in England when I was in my early teens, and I spent a lot of my
pocket money purchasing gift wrap paper, curling ribbon and other trimmings.
I recall my family and friends enjoying my efforts and saying things such as,
"Oh, this package is just too pretty to open", then their curiosity got the best
of them and they pulled off the wrapping, usually saving just the ribbon.
However I have to admit that when 'gift bags' arrived and offered another way
to share a present for a special occasion, I jumped on the bandwagon right
away. When it comes to wrapping an unboxed item of an awkward shape or
size, or several small things which could just be gently swathed in tissue paper
and tucked into the bag together, the gift bag is a godsend in more ways
than one. It also survives destruction on opening which allows it to be
recycled with fresh tissue paper and a new tag if necessary.
A Christmas gift bag - I wonder what it will hold!
Scribble Picnic theme this week is 'gift wrap'.
I turned a photo of a gift bag into a sketch via PicMonkey
then added back color with my watercolor pencils . . . . . . . .and
then suddenly realized it's less than six weeks until Christmas!
Do visit Scribble Picnic today - there should be some pretty
packaged gifts awaiting.
I turned a photo of a gift bag into a sketch via PicMonkey
then added back color with my watercolor pencils . . . . . . . .and
then suddenly realized it's less than six weeks until Christmas!
Do visit Scribble Picnic today - there should be some pretty
packaged gifts awaiting.
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I ordered my first Christmas presents on Monday! Most of the presents I'll give to the family here or send to the family in Yorkshire I am going to buy in shops in my town, or at the Christmas market, but some needed ordering, and I rather do that early-ish.
ReplyDeleteAs for wrapping, I used to be really good at that and enjoyed my wrapping session before Christmas Eve a lot (in Germany, we exchange Christmas gifts on Christmas Eve). Now that my eyes are making it more and more difficult to see, I am not quite so looking forward to that any more, but will of course still make the effort. I keep ribbons, gift bags and other nice things from presents I receive, so as to recycle them, and rarely buy new ones.
How nice Mary!! :) I bet it holds something wonderful! :) I'm a gift-wrapper too. I am always looking for unique ways to wrap things up and make them look really festive. This year for Alex's gift, I'm planning some kind of diorama as the gift wrapping...of course it's in the planning stage for now, but it looks perfect in my head! LOL! I always called them "presents" too.
ReplyDeleteA lovely image, Mary. I'm glad a lot can be accomplished in 6 weeks (eek) because I haven't begun Christmas, other than thinking and finishing one small sewing project for a grandson. Ideas swirl in my head, but I'm trying to be realistic about my time and energy. I love pretty presents - I sometimes think the time reflected in wrapping a gift says something about the person for whom the gift is intended.
ReplyDeleteI love your Christmas gift bag and enjoyed your wrapping story. I love wrapping gifts too, and the bags are so convenient as well. They can be adorned with pretty ribbons and tags and ornaments.
ReplyDeleteI love the red trucks with the trees being hauled in the back. Nice job.
ReplyDeleteOh you tell a familiar story ... when I was younger I used to spend hours wrapping Christmas gift and each one was a project in itself. Now when I have to wrap I do it swiftly with little attention to the extra's. That's what happens when you get older and standing over a table for long periods of time has your back talking to you. Then the gift bag arrived ... and already printed boxes. What a Godsend ... Now I can have beautiful packages with minimal stress :) Love your drawing ... the perfect gift bag :)
ReplyDeleteAndrea @ From the Sol
We used to visit a flea market that had the prettiest gift wrap at really dirt cheap prices and I would stock up on it. Then they started featuring gift bags and I started stocking up on them too. And I always try to recycle the bags that I get. I think I'm well stocked for the future. Your gift bag creation is wonderful!
ReplyDeleteI didn't get anything drawn this week, but am enjoying seeing what others came up with. What a gorgeous gift bag you have here!
ReplyDeleteDear Mary,
ReplyDeleteIt's such a treat coming here to your blog and reading of either your exotic travels, homemaking beauty or, my fave, that certain element of nostalgia you bring. This rendered drawing is no exception. It hearkens back to a vintage era where I imagine tinsel and glamorous old movies with heroes and heroines, and, of course, oodles of gushing romance with a string orchestra playing in the background. Siiiiggghhhh. (I'm SUCH a romantic at heart! ha.) I love it, Mary, and your write up.
You are so funny - you could be a marketing person with the sell on gift bags! Hee...You're making me want to rush outdoors right now in to the frigid morn to go on hunt for a few of those...even though I don;t need any. The idea of being able to re-use of course is so true.
I remember many presents growing up where the wrapping and bits adn bobs were actualyl far better than the item inside. To funny. Ah, christmas joys. I think having received a present for the young Mary woudl ahve been such a treat!
Thank you so much for another lovely addition. BTW, the new themes are up on my sidebar. I think you'll enjoy them, particularly the one that might employ one of your travel pics. You'll see which prompt I mean.
P.S. I'm actually hoping to do a big Breath of Fresh Air indulgence and work through your various posts today. Maybe 3 hours will be enough? :D Funny, as I write this, I'm imagining what fills the air of lil' cottage...something savoury cooking int the oven or pot perhaps. Homey.
ReplyDeleteI'm running a little late catching up this week but I love what you did for the theme, Mary. Ah yes, I used to love curling the paper ribbon! And yes, gift bags certainly have been embraced by many....I also love that they can be reused for future gifts. Being of British and Irish background, we always call them presents and still do. And rather than say, gift wrap, we simply called it wrapping paper. haha
ReplyDeleteHard to believe we are nearing the end of November already...YIKES!
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